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Evolutionary Theory Telephone: (919) 843-2692 E-mail: servedio@email.unc.edu Office: 234A Wilson Hall Mailing Address:
Assistant Professor (Initial Appointment: 2002) |
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Interest s
Synopsis I am interested in a broad range of topics from evolutionary genetics to behavioral ecology. I explore these topics through theoretical techniques. My main goal is to use mathematical models to integrate rigorous evolutionary theory with hypotheses explaining behavioral and ecological patterns and phenomena. I am excited, however, to provide integrated approaches to these questions by combining mathematical with experimental, genetic, and comparative techniques through collaborations with students and colleagues. I therefore welcome students who are interested in the same questions as I am, regardless of the techniques they wish to pursue. My current work mainly explores mechanisms that drive speciation through the evolution of premating isolation. One of the primary adaptive hypotheses for this evolution is that it occurs through the process of reinforcement, where it is driven by selection against the production of unfit hybrids. I have been exploring reinforcement by trying to pinpoint the forces of selection and genetic associations that cause evolution of alleles for female preferences for conspecific males. I have also been interested in alternatives to reinforcement – forces other than the low fitness of hybrids that can lead to similar patterns of premating isolation evolution. My broader research program also centers on the evolution of behavior. My interest in mate choice extends beyond the context of speciation to other factors that affect sexual selection and mate choice evolution. I have also been working on projects related to mimicry, including the evolution of warning coloration and the evolution of egg mimicry during brood parasitism. | |
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